Alaska GOP beset by turmoil, competition

[barbtries]

Source: Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A state Republican convention that could have unified a troubled party descended into infighting Friday, with the lieutenant governor announcing his intention to unseat a congressman and the governor calling for changes in GOP leadership.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell said he would challenge U.S. Rep. Don Young, the 18-term incumbent who's the subject of a federal investigation that includes his campaign finance practices.

"The days of unquestioning loyalty are gone," Parnell said a few hours later after filing candidacy paperwork. "It's time for principled leadership."

...

"The Republican brand has suffered from corruption issues," said John J. Pitney, a former researcher at the Republican National Committee who teaches government at Claremont McKenna College. "It's a major reason John McCain became the (GOP presidential) nominee. It's their best chance to remove the taint of corruption."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080315/ap_on_el_ho/alaska_gop_rift

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more at the link

i love this last comment. the republican "brand" not the republican party. corruption "issues" not fucking corruption!

let them disintegrate themselves.

[barbtries]

1. one more blurb:

"Three of the GOP's former state lawmakers have been convicted of bribery and two-thirds of the Alaska's congressional delegation is under federal investigation."

the grand old party is alive and well in alaska apparently.

[L. Coyote]

2. A schism of the Corrupt Bastards Club. Well, it seems the Rs are not all willing co-conspirators!

But, will they grow a backbone on a national level?

Will they represent the People instead of Big Oil?

NOT!

They are doing what little is required to not go up in flames and hence, lose control of Alaska politics and its mineral wealth.

This is not populism. It is just special interests changing horses when no other option remains.